[mary1]

Hi everyone can anyone tell me who is the best back specialist/surgeon in the country. I want to know so I can get a second opinion for my own peace of mind that I have done all I can. Would also be interested in any in aussie if there aren't any top guys here?

thanks

[Witchiepoo]

Would have to suggest Dr. Arnold Bok, Mercy Hospital, Auckland.

[Limoges]

Mr Bruce Hodgson in Dunedin is an excellent Orthopod. and is willing to stick his neck out in telling the truth about the situation even if it goes against what many other Orthopods. attempt to cover up. He is his own person...... and will not be a sheep!

Also Dr Ashish Diwan of Sydney is a world renowned Orthopod. in spinal deformities, that includes those which are iatrogenic (caused by surgery).

[tonyj]

Witchiepoo, on Aug 18 2006, 07:58 AM, said:

Would have to suggest Dr. Arnold Bok, Mercy Hospital, Auckland.

Arnold BoK in particular for upper spine , or Pete Robertson ..

tony

[fairgo]

I second Bruce Hodgson (Dunedin) Brilliant surgeon who is also as honest as the day is long... Tells you exactly like it is and doesn't, in my experience, bow to ACC.

[mary1]

hi ,I've had the lot in the last year or so as well as another set about 3 years ago. It was just nagging at me a bit that I wanted to have an independant (from acc) assessment so I was aware of any problems or that I had done all I can. I figured that it would be worth it for the peace of mind hopefully they could read my scans etc and give me an opinion.

mary

[fairgo]

You can request a referral yourself through your GP to a specialist. Bruce Hodgson did an update on my condition for me (not ACC) by request of my GP. It was still paid for by ACC though as it related to my injury that I have cover for. ACC also received a copy of the report to put on their file but I believe it was an "independent" report.

[Tomcat]

Greetings,
An "Independant report", referred via GP is a must...
It goes a long way to keeping the "Toadies Honest"...
(unfortunately, there is exceptional "rectal orifice" who ignores the facts.)

[tonyj]

It is important to have the best medical specialists recomendations possible mary1 , not so much to keep ACC honest but to ensure in fact the medical providers have explored all the potentials .

I really do believe we have a resistance by some specialist to fully explore more expansive options when it involves having to endorse a direction ACC may challenge .
Many have become gun shy over the years and with an already full work load avoidance of ACC interaction becomes the soft option.
The matter is further complicated by a subtle but never the less compounding factor if a DHB specialist has had a say . The DHB's have a supply contract with ACC and tend to avoid encouraging Accident claimants to seek ongoing treatment through them to stay within the budget.

In fact they also attempt to encourage as few ACC potential clients into the system in the first instance.. Why do you think ED departments are so third world , its because its a planned statigue by the DHB's to make them so traumatic and stressful that they drive victims to seek help from the private sector knowing ACC will pick up the tab , and not utilise the DHB's resources .All to often busy DHB specialists will not extend them selves to seek remedial or treatment options for an ACC client as part of a DHB culture to limit potential costs to the DHB if they have to perform on going services.
More often than not a private specialist will put the time and effort into exploring potential options without the DHB number crunches dictating the rules.. all the private specialist have to put up with is ACC and their number crunches (grin) .

The thing is you need the best advise possible and that requires not only a senior specialist but as well some expensive examinations such as MRI scans , often the current ones may be out of date or insufficient .

I would suggest if you really are concerned to actually try and encourage your Case Manager and GP to see if you can get a referal to one of the suggested specialist to initially review available information and recommend if further exploration is warrented .Its worth a go otherwise you are heading down an expensive road.

tony

[moyes]

I know this is an old post but I am unable to create a new post. I know how debilitating and painful lower back disc injuries are. I have a large herniated disc(L5/S1)-sporting injury from last year. Although the sciatica has subsided, I still have the constant dull aching pain from that area all the time. Stiffness too. Certain movements like arching/stretching to the right I get impingement and can feel the pain radiate down my leg for that specific movement. I can walk just fine with no pain or very little pain, but I am afraid of running or doing any sporting/physical movement because of the fear of a major flair up which I have had in the past after a uphill run which lead to me being unable to drive a car for a few days or even sit down because the pain was unbearable.

I am not sure what to do. I currently take anti-flammatories(celebrax) every day which seems to help. I have had enough of this injury and would like to get a 2nd opinion for a surgeon. Any recommendations please? I have tried physio and I do get temporary relief from back extension exercises, but nothing permanent.
I am hoping microdisectomy will help me get rid of the constant pain and resume physical sports and my tradie work. Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[INTER]

Tomcat, on 19 August 2006 - 01:55 PM, said:

Greetings,
An "Independant report", referred via GP is a must...
It goes a long way to keeping the "Toadies Honest"...
(unfortunately, there is exceptional "rectal orifice" who ignores the facts.)

YEA BUT ACC TAKING ANY NOTICE OF IT IS ANOTHER STORY :

MRI scan of his lower lumbar spine.

has confirmed the clinical findings on examination
Specifically, diminished sensation over the right S1 dermatome and a right
foot drop with power 2 weakness of dorsiflcxion of the right foot and great
toe.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ACC they want me to attend an assessment of there choosing
before they will consider cover, so if there assessment shows Squat then either the independent assessment

or there assessment is bull shit which equals a Another assessment BUT will i get an Honest 1 is the Question .

[greg]

I had a spinal fusion at the age of 23. The pain went away until believe
it or not , I sneezed and damaged the above joint.[12 years] Since then , you try
to wrap yourself up in cotton wool , but that is impossible .
Every so claimed ACC expert will offer their usually opposite rehab. on how to survive
for the rest of your life. They obviously really have no new ideas except screw
over ACC Claimants into believing they are the problem.

A few hints I picked up , avoid houses or work places with concrete floor or many steps
will help keeping the simple actions to remain mostly pain free..

Go slowly and just rest . If you decide to have spinal surgery ,inform your self of
the processes as they will only allow one attempt if at all.

I am still walking after 40 years but are slow and wobble quite bad. Always wondered why
the kids would never walk beside me.

ps. I spent over 10 years relearning to walk in a straight line around a netball court,
some did it with swimming ,but my damaged shoulders never allowed that.

How well you recover will depend on 'only on your input' =mental and physical.

Some have played representative sports after a fusion and with luck are still pain free

[doppelganger]

Before getting an opperation make sure that you are going to be better off long term. the surgon will be able to explain the pros and cons

Thre is plenty of medical documentation from medical libuarys to give you the options. It can take years for a herniated disc to resolve with out an operation but your case manager should know this.

Clinical Instability of the Lumbar Spine This will give some guidelines and for rehabilitation and will prevent instability. Take note that between 13 and 30% of persons wth back pain end up with instability.

[MINI]

tonyj, on 18 August 2006 - 06:41 PM, said:

Arnold BoK in particular for upper spine , or Pete Robertson ..

tony

I have been told by my GP that Mr Robertson in Auckland is the best back specialist ortho surgeon in NZ.

I have had to wait over five months for an appointment with him. But as I have been like this for a lot of years already, I ma as well wait.

This will be up to me to pay for. Obviously as he is so busy. Sorry cant tell you how much as it will depend on what he is going to do ie tests etc.

Hope this helps a bit.

Mini